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| Former UConn star Napheesa Collier pops in two of her 10 points in her homecoming to the state that made her famous. |
Photos by Bill Harper
UNCASVILLE—The late, great George Harrison observed that “All Things Must
Pass,” and so it went on Saturday when the Minnesota Lynx defeated the
Connecticut Sun, 74-71, before 8,076 fans at Mohegan Sun Arena. It was the
fourth straight loss for Connecticut—and, more importantly, the team’s first
loss at home for the 2019 season. Prior to Saturday’s loss, the Sun had won a
franchise-record 11 straight games on their home court.
Odyssey Sims scored 21 points and
Sylvia Fowles added a double-double with an 18-point, 11-rebound performance for
the Lynx. Saturday also represented a homecoming for former UConn star Napheesa
Collier who scored 10 points in her first time back in the Nutmeg State since
turning pro. Collier, who graduated this year, ranks No. 3 in scoring, fourth
in rebounds and seventh in blocked shots in UConn women’s basketball history. A
key member of the 2016 UConn national championship team, Collier averaged a double-double
as a senior before being drafted in the first-round (No. 6 overall) by the
Lynx.
Jasmine Thomas led the Sun with 16 points, while Alyssa Thomas (11), Courtney Williams (11) and Bria Holmes (10) scored in double digits for Connecticut, which fell to 9-5 and now trail first-place Washington by a half game in the Eastern Conference race.
Minnesota (8-6) trailed 58-54 entering the fourth quarter. Lexie
Brown quickly cut the deficit to one with a 3-pointer and her 3 at the 7:19
mark put Minnesota ahead for good 62-60. Sims made back-to-back jumpers for a
70-65 lead with 2:38 to go.
Robinson made two free throws at
54.2 seconds for a 72-69 lead and then two more after the Sun missed a pair of
3-pointers. Her free throws at 8.2 seconds iced the game.
Jasmine Thomas had 16 points to
lead the Sun (9-5).
“Well, disappointing for us to
lose at home,” said Sun head coach and general manager Curt Miller. “It’s
magnified because we take such pride in getting to the finish line at home.
Both ends of the floor… You feel like you did a lot of good things defensively
and a lot of nights good enough defensively to get that win.”
Miller said his team played well
offensively in stretches, but also were sloppy at times.
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| Courtney Williams (10) puts up two of her 10 points in the Sun's loss to the Lynx. It was the first time Connecticut ha lost at home this season--but was the team's fourth loss in a row. |
“We left a lot of points out there
with our double figure turnovers in the second half,” he continued. “What
really hurt was holding [Minnesota] to 10 points in the third quarter and we
couldn’t break away because we had so many turnovers in a stretch. So, double
figure turnovers in the second half, [the Lynx] were better in big plays down
the stretch and really determined getting to the rim.”
The Lynx, of course, are playing
the 2019 season without the services of Maya Moore. The UConn legend, one of
the greatest players—if not the greatest—in WNBA history is on sabbatical
for the 2019 season. Indeed, while many thought she was simply taking time off
to rest from the wear-and-tear from year-round play (most WNBA players, even
its best players, need to play year-round abroad thanks to the low salaries
offered by WNBA), Moore was, in fact, following her heart. She is spending the
2019 season working toward the
release of a man serving a 50-year sentence for burglary and assault in her
hometown of Jefferson City, Mo., whom she believes was wrongly convicted.
The
Sun will be in action next on Wednesday, July 10 when they travel to Atlanta to
take on the Dream at 11 a.m. The game will be televised live on NESN and
NBA-TV. Tickets for all games at Mohegan Sun Arena are available now. Visit the
Mohegan Sun Arena box office, ConnecticutSun.com
or call 1-877-SUN-TIXX to purchase.
Taking Pride
Friday night will be Pride
Night at the Mohegan Sun Arena when the Sun host Phoenix Mercury. Pride
Night is a celebration of diversity and equality. Tip-off is at 8 p.m., and the
game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
Friday could see the return of
Diana Taurasi to Connecticut. The Mercury guard and UConn legend—herself openly
gay—has not played yet in 2019 due to a back injury but has been medically
cleared to play. The Hartford Gay Men’s Choir will perform the national anthem
prior to the game. Alyson Stoner, an actress, voice artist, singer, dancer and
model, will perform at halftime. Stoner, a former Disney star best known for
her role in The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and Cheaper by the
Dozen, also authored an article in Teen Vogue last year in which she
described falling in love with a woman she met at a dance workshop. She has
released 12 singles and served as a backup dancer for Missy Elliott and Eminem.
After the game, fans will have the
opportunity to hear from a panel pertaining to LGBTQ+ issues with Sun guard
Layshia Clarendon, Mercury forward Brittney Griner, Stoner and Connecticut Kid
Governor Ella Briggs, who will also serve as the Guest of the Game. The panel
will be moderated by espnW writer Katie Barnes.
“The WNBA has led the charge in
its bold stance around diversity and inclusion,” said Vice President of Sports
Amber Cox. “Everyone is welcome at Sun games—no o matter race, gender or sexual
orientation. It’s truly a wonderful sight to see a melting pot of fans from all
over New England gathering at Mohegan Sun Arena sharing their collective
passion for Sun basketball.”
The Sun are offering a variety of fan-friendly packages
for Pride Night. Packages including a game ticket, a limited-edition Sun Pride T-Shirt,
access to the post game panel and a special postgame pool party at the Mohegan
Sun Pool start at $30.00. Sun season ticket holders can purchase the Pride
Night package of a T-Shirt and party entry for $20 by calling the Sun office at
877-SUN-TIXX. The postgame pool party will feature appearances by members of
the Sun who will be available for photos and autographs at the exclusive event.
To purchase tickets, click HERE.
—with
staff reports
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